Too soon Newborn

Kimmie - posted on 04/06/2013
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As first time parents we worry about people touching and even coming too close to our baby. He hasn't had all of his immunizations yet so even going out worries us. My husband and I argue because I don't see a problem with going to not so crowded spaces but he doesn't see it that way. He debates with me constantly about it. Been in the house since he was born-7weeks- other than going to the baby's check ups and driving the restaurants to pick up to go orders. I know you should be careful with who you bring your child around so their odds of getting sick are low but I don't see any harm with going places so long as people aren't holding him. Are we too overprotective?I'm curious to know if other moms have this issue. And what did you do to help the situation? I want to visit family (4 hour drive away) but don't know if this is a good idea. I don't want our baby to get sick but being in the house constantly doesn't seem helpful either.

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Denikka - posted on 04/17/2013

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I took my firstborn out grocery shopping 2 days after we left the hospital. He was about 5 days old at the time.I agree with the other moms, i think you and your hubby are being way too overprotective. Kids need to get dirty, they need to be exposed to different things and that will include some illnesses and germs.If your son is being breastfed, all the better. you impart your own immunities on to him, so he's just as safe, if not safer, than after the vaccines.Besides...vaccines don't prevent you from getting the germs. They give the body an identification for those particular cells and allow your body to fight it off more effectively. Just because you don't physically appear sick doesn't mean that those germs aren't in your system anyways. Your body is kind of a war zone at any given time, but once those negative cells are able to be identified easily, it's just easier for your body to prevent the overload that actually makes you appear and feel sick.

Much to my dismay my partner invites his entire family around the night I got home from the hospital! But germs wasn't what I was concerned about, I wanted my tea, a shower and a good night sleep before having to entertain people. Wrapping your child up in cotton wool will not help him. He needs to be exposed to life to build up his immune system. I made it a rule that hand should be washed before holding my boy and if you are sick then please stay away till you are feeling better. I'm 25 weeks pregnant with my second and my other is 4 and will be starting school just a few weeks after new baby arrives. I'd have to quarantine my oldest otherwise as they pick up everything at school.

We took our son on his first trip this weekend to visit family a few hours away. He loved it! My husband finally lightened up and enjoyed himself as well. My son was so happy and did really well during the car ride. I will def take my son out and about more. :)

We took our son on his first trip this weekend to visit family a few hours away. He loved it! My husband finally lightened up and enjoyed himself as well. My son was so happy and did really well during the car ride. I will def take my son out and about more. :)

I spent about 2 weeks at home with my daughter after she was born and after that we were out and about everyday. We went to the mall, to visit family, grocery shopping, Whatever I had to do she came with me. When she was two months old we went away for thanksgiving to a provincial park where you could go hiking and she was perfectly fine. We spent the whole weekend hiking and she was in her baby bjorn and she slept the whole time. My daughter is 7 months old now and she hasnt had so much as a diaper rash yet. I know its easy to be paranoid as a first time parent but I think that the best way to prepare their immune systems is by exposing them to the "real world". I think as long as your not in direct contact with someone that is sick then your baby will be fine. Its important for you to get out and do things or else you will go crazy, I know thats how I felt after just two weeks at home. And dont forget to give your baby vitamin D drops, they also help your little ones immune system.

As soon as I could walk properly again, I started taking my baby with me everywhere in her stroller. Even took her to my old high school to show her off to the teachers. She didn't get sick once until she was over a year old.

I feel you are being way too overprotective. My 3rd child was out shopping with us on the way home from hospital at 1 day old. She was also at the boys school every weekday from 2 days old. I had a life that didn't stop just because I had a newborn baby.

You can't wrap your child up in cotton wool for it's whole life and it helps their immune system to be exposed to some germs early on.